Roman Catholics did not take the Reformation lying down. While literally fighting to retain control, they also called the Council of Trent (1545-1563) to close ranks in defense against Protestant challenges. The council and reigning pope clarified and cemented key doctrines. Here are a few examples:
● While trying a softer approach, the council reaffirmed indulgences as effective and purgatory as real (countering Protestant charges that Scripture mentions neither)
● Catholic tradition was officially declared equal in authority to the Bible (countering Protestant use of the Bible)
● Only Catholic clergy could give the meaning of Scripture, always in line with Catholic doctrines (countering Protestant emphasis on ordinary people studying the Bible for themselves)
● Jerome’s Latin Vulgate Bible, commissioned in 382, became the official version (countering Protestant translations from Hebrew and Greek)
● Papal power was reaffirmed (later, the First Vatican Council, 1869-1870, declared the pope “infallible” when speaking officially on matters of faith and morals)